32 replies to this topic

[merlin390]

the books calls for DOT 4+. However is this Super Blue fluid eqivalant? I dont want to use dot 5 because it does not absorb water and they water will stay suspended in the lines/parts only to cause problems. Dot 3 has too low of a boiling point, and there is a significant difference between DOT4 and DOT4+

[WhiteT5]

DOT 4+ = DOT 5.1, which is what the super blue fluid is. Lots of people use it, myself included, with good results.

[merlin390]

thank you. Now I just have to order 2 qts and I will be set for next weekend.

[Pauloil]

1 qt. is enuf., esp if your changing color of the fluid.

[Kashif]

When I bought the brake fluid from a Volvo dealership the can only holds 800 ml which is a little bit smaller then 1 Qt. With that 800 ml I was able to completely flush my system with a little bit to spare.

[Che'_Moderator]

When I bought the brake fluid from a Volvo dealership the can only holds 800 ml which is a little bit smaller then 1 Qt.  With that 800 ml I was able to completely flush my system with a little bit to spare.

Volvo brake fluid used to be crap. They may have gobe to what Ford uses though which is good stuff. Actually Castrol has good fluid for brakes but everythign else blows. What is even funnier is the stuff I use in track cars is Dot 3. I would just run a good 4+ of 5.1. BTW is Super Blue 5.1 now? It used to be 4+

[GShyneDM]

Volvo brake fluid used to be crap.  They may have gobe to what Ford uses though which is good stuff.  Actually Castrol has good fluid for brakes but everythign else blows.  What is even funnier is the stuff I use in track cars is Dot 3.  I would just run a good 4+ of 5.1.  by the way is Super Blue 5.1 now?  It used to be 4+

Bah... superblue doesnt even really have a DOT thing... its just compatable with dot5.1 4+ required systems... and performs around and a little above the standards...

Castrol (what you get in Pepboys/etc) isnt that great. I much prefer the Valvoline synpower... for 4 bucks... it cant be beat...

But right now I am running Motul DOT 5.1 (throwing money away), but will move on to SuperBlue next time around

YOu get by with DOT 3 because you prolly flush it every track day

[Bay13]

DOT 3 because you prolly flush it every track day

Dot 3s boiling point is lower than DOT 4 + don't know by how much cause I don't know anything about dot3, as it's not used in any cars that claim to have good braking power. BMW, Mercedes, Volvo. Etc.

[Plan_B]

Dot 3s boiling point is lower than DOT 4 + don't know by how much cause I don't know anything about dot3, as it's not used in any cars that claim to have good braking power. BMW, Mercedes, Volvo. Etc.

So what do you use Rich?

[Bay13]

DOT 4+ (easy to get here at the dealers) Plus my $300 tool for measuring moisture is made for dot 4+.

[Che'_Moderator]

DOT 4+ (easy to get here at the dealers) Plus my $300 tool for measuring moisture is made for dot 4+.

I checked a few cans and a lot of its Dot 3 with a dry boil of over 600. Wet boil point is like 280 though, which is why its not dot 4. And yes, its flushed every day.

[merlin390]

Hey Rich I called gerald jones Volvo in town to see if they had it on the shelf and the parts guy told me, "oh we just use regular DOT4" talked to service dept just to see what the cost for a brake flush was and then I asked what fluid they use, he said brake fluid, I replied I would hope so, but which brake fluid, his reply "DOT4" to which I asked regular DOT4? his reply Thats one only one they make. My reply well my owners manual says to use DOT4+ then I rambled about the difference in temps. the adviser was like Uhhhhhhhhhh. long silence then he said well can I schedual you an appointment or not? Nope just let me talk to the Service manager. Of course he wasn't there, go figure. Step 2 call the service managers cell phone (he was at work that morning too)...... very interesting conversation for a saturday morning. I have his cell because we sold him his wife's expedition.

[Bay13]

One of the dealers I use to work at use to pass out dot 3 and 4 meets all specs crap, and then I found the Volvo part numbers for the correct DOT 4+ fluid and made it know that if Volvo wanted junk fluid in the braking system they would have put it in there from the factory. When a customer comes to a Volvo dealer for service they expect Factory service not parts bought at a discount and sold at what Volvo parts would cost.

for 250ml (1/2 pint) part number is 9437433
for 800ml (1.7pts) part number 9437434

[(_8*(l)Homer]

My indy Volvo mechanic and I flushed my break system and replaced with DOT 4 fluid. I called everywhere, no one had ever heard of DOT 4+. Even the Volvo mechanic said he always uses DOT 4.

[Bay13]

DOT4 is better than DOT 3. The 4+ is hard to find, I've only seen it at the dealer.

[550]

dot 4+ or 5.1 can be found online, motul is 5.1 and pefectlly fine for use in our cars.

[Che'_Moderator]

DOT4 is better than DOT 3.  The 4+ is hard to find, I've only seen it at the dealer.

Blah, I just had someone IM me that dot 4 and dot 5 always had a higher dry boil point than a dot 3. Off the top of my head I know Wilwood, and Castrol make a dot 3 with a boil of over 550. Its very rare to find a 4/5.1 with a boil that high. I agree with Rich. I would only use a 4/4+/5.1 in my street car, but thats only because I am too lazy to flush it every 6 months like I should

[550]

Haha Im too lazy to do my own oil changes... I can't be expected to change my brake fluid yet!

[merlin390]

Well I have two quarts of Super Blue coming. Didnt get a chance to turn the rotors like I wanted to over the weekend but next weekend looks better. So its time to turn the rotors and flush the lines and all will be good again.

[550]

I have to flush mine put motul in and put my SS lines on. I need a line wrench what size am I looking for rich?